Distance looks right for Dream in the Dark

VANCOUVER, British Columbia – With her pedigree, Dream in the Dark could make a big impact when she stretches out to a 1 1/16 miles for the first time in Sunday’s feature at Hastings. The $25,000 claiming race for 3-year-old fillies drew seven horses and goes as race 7 on the eight-race card, which begins at 1:40 p.m. Pacific.

Bred by her owner, Lorne MacDougall, Dream in the Dark is out of the mare Just Another Dream, who was a route stakes winner and has been an excellent producer. All six of her previous foals are winners, five won going long, and three won at least one stakes race.

Dream in the Dark, trained by Barbara Heads, is coming into Sunday’s race off of a couple of strong performances. She won a $20,000 maiden race June 13, and in her first try with winners she finished third going 6 1/2 furlongs for $25,000 June 27. She drew the rail on Sunday and she figures to get a ground-saving trip with Richard Hamel aboard.

Indy Beauty and Finality Philly look like the ones she’ll have to beat.

Indy Beauty finished third in the $103,000 Fantasy Stakes last year and is dropping in class after running an even race in a $50,000 optional sprint June 13. Trainer Robert Gilker has named Ryan Pacheco to ride at 106 pounds, 10 pounds less than she carried in her last race.

Finality Philly will be looking to win her third race in a row and the first for trainer Jim Ellickson, who claimed her on behalf of Cynthia McKnight and Ib Nieslen for $17,500 July 10. It was the second straight race she was claimed out of, and in both races she led from start to finish. Finality Philly was an impressive winner of her July 10 race. Stretching out to 1 1/16 miles for the first time, she set honest fractions under pressure and was still able to draw off to beat Maida Vale, who is also entered Sunday, by 3 3/4 lengths.

Chilecito is coming off of an eye-catching performance where she won by 9 3/4 lengths. The difference between her strong performance and Finality Philly’s were the very slow fractions she forced before running away from her competition. She was also beating up on $10,000 maidens. Nonetheless, Chiliceto has the pedigree to be a decent horse and she appears to be coming to hand quickly for trainer Dino Condilenios.